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Astrophotography 2016

Here the latest pictures from the astrophotography session in Christmas 2016 from my backyard in Tagliacozzo (Italy). This time the equipment was upgraded with a new focuser which made life much easier! As usual Nikon D7000 on prime focus of a 200mm dia. Newton on HEQ5 mount. I also tried a new CLS filter which does a great job in cutting the Christmas lights from the town, a bit less efective against the smoke coming from the chimneys… Enjoy!

M42 – The great Orion Nebula

A very popular object in amateur astrophotography, this diffuse nebula is the birthplace of new stars. The picture below is the sum of 16 shots of 30 seconds each (ISO4000).

M81/M82 – Ursa Major

First time I take a picture of these two galaxies in the Ursa Major constellation. M81 is a spiral galaxy which is face-on towards us, M82, also known as the “cigar galaxy”, is a starburst galaxy, where the high rate of star formation seems to be initiated by the interaction with its neighbour M81. The picture below is the sum of 22 shots of 30 seconds each (ISO4000).

M65/M66 – Galaxies in Leo

Quite hard to find but bright enough to see visually. M65 and M66 are part of the “Leo triplet”, toghether with NGC 3628. The picture below is the sum of 15 shots of 30 seconds each (ISO4000).

Barnard 33 – The Horsehead Nebula

A stunning nebula in the Orion constellation, due to light pollution it was invisible in the eyepiece, but knwoing where to find it, and adding toghether 56 exposures (out of 110!) reveal this beautiful object.

M33 – Triagulum Galaxy

Another attempt to take a picture of this galaxy. In winter it lies up in the sky so the reduced light pollution allows for better shots. The picture below is the sum of 23 shots of 30 seconds each (ISO4000).

M31 – Andromeda Galaxy

The brightest galaxy we can see from Hearth, visible by naked eye in a clear winter night! The picture below is the sum of 23 shots of 30 seconds each (ISO4000).